Hi Kathryn, Empire, now Emerson, is just a few miles west of Sterling. Empire began as a sawmill built by Hezekiah Brink on Elkhorn creek in the southwest quarter of Section 13. Post office opened as Empire Jan. 6, 1851. On Oct. 5, 1865 the office was moved to Galt one mile south and on the now Union Pacific railroad, mostly thought of as the Chi and Nwestern. Village of Empire became Emerson Aug. 4, 1891 and the post office was opened that day. Discontinued Feb. 28, 1935, later reopened about 1940. Now closed. But the few houses still remain as Emerson. This is from my book 'Post Offices of Whiteside co.' I have xerox copies of at least one postmaster appointment. Hope this helps. Curt Gronner -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: Thursday, February 08, 2001 8:35 PM Subject: Empire >Hello all, >Was there a town, township, post office or settlement by the name >of 'Empire' in Whiteside County in the 1860's? > >Thanks, >Kathryn Sterling Herrmann > >______________________________